#The Adventures of Sam Spade

[tomcherryoldtimeradioshow]

Get ready for some adventures on Tom Cherry’s Old Time Radio Show on June 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm! The fun starts with The Adventures of Sam Spade and continues with The Adventures of Giraffe Man! A lucky audience member will get a chance to play It Pays to Be Ignorant and Katy Wolfe will sing!

Featuring the talents of Sean Orlosky, Bob Green, Katy Wolfe, Jeff Shull, Jeff Rapkin, Larry Beck and Debby Girtman with soundman Cliff Lowe and special guest star, Todd Terrell!

That’s June 24 at 3:00 pm at the Farmland Community Center (100 N. Main St, Farmland, Indiana)! Tickets are just a dollar! For more information, please call 765-468-7631. 

Radio fun for everyone!

Photograph by Cindy Lowe

[yyokkki]

Life as a corporate slave has you worked to the bone. Burdened with expectations from your boss, coworkers and family, you recall a faint childhood memory lost to years of data entry and drafting.

You remember the three weird uncles who'd hang out in your attic everyday at 3AM. How they'd left you an envelope before disappearing, telling you to open it up if a time ever came that you felt lost.

And so, deed in hand, you booked the next bus available and made your way over to Night Raven Valley with nothing but yourself and the clothes on your back.

What adventures await you as you farm, mine, fight and acquaint yourself with the eccentric yet strangely endearing inhabitants of the valley?

Starring:

Heartslabyul

Riddle Rosehearts as the Posh Lawyer

Pixel Art by multifandomlazywriter!

Trey Clover as the Homely Baker

Pixel Art by multifandomlazywriter!

Cater Diamond as the Bubbly Magicam Influencer

Clothing Ask

Art by sheepwater!

Ace Trappola as the Troublemaking Carpenter

Deuce Spade as the Trying-His-Best Mechanic

Savanaclaw

Leona Kingscholar as the Grumpy Unemployed But Rich Guy

Ruggie Bucchi as the Sneaky Odd Job Runner

Jack Howl as the Prickly Botanist

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto as the Shady Saloon Owner

Jade Leech as the Shady Secretary

Floyd Leech as the Shady Security Guard

Scarabia

Kalim Al-Asim as the Cheerful Ranch Owner

Jamil Viper as the Dead-Inside Caretaker

Pomefiore

Vil Schoenheit as the Pompous Boutique Owner

Rook Hunt as the Scary Hunter

Epel Felmier as the Feral Apple Farmer

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud as the Vitamin D Deficient Game Developer

Ortho Shroud as the Local Sunshine Child

Diasomnia

Malleus Draconia as the Misunderstood Wizard

Lilia Vanrouge as the Adventurer's Guild Owner

Silver Vanrouge as the Sleepy Knight In Training

Sebek Zigvolt as the Overexcited Wizard Apprentice

Staff

Dire Crowley as the Scummy Town Mayor

Divus Crewel as the Dog Loving Scientist

Mozus Trein as the Cat Loving Librarian

Ashton Vargas as the Macho Guy Who Acts Like A Gym Trainer But Is Actually the Town Blacksmith

Sam as the Playful General Store Owner

Grim as the Weird Sewer Raccoon

The Ramshackle Ghosts as the Uncles Who Haunted Your Attic

---

I don't think I'm the first one to come up with this AU but this is just my spin on it cuz I'm totally so normal about sdv and twst

I will be updating each character's general info/ headcanons slowly then maybe I'll move on to heart events for the datables (NRC students except Ortho)

All posts related to this au will be tagged #night raven valley

Asks/Requests are open for this AU

And do any of y'all have suggestions for loved/hated gifts for some of the characters? Some are obvious but I'm actually blank for some like damn I know their entire trauma but idk if they'd like malachite or not what am i supposed to do

Tag List (Interact with the linked post to be tagged in future updates mwah)

[thoseyoulove]

"There is Lestat, first and foremost, the author of four books of his life and his adventures comprising everything you could ever possibly want to know about him and some of us. Lestat, ever the maverick and the laughing trickster. Six feet tall, a young man of twenty when made, with huge warm blue eyes and thick flashy blond hair, square of jaw, with a generous beautifully shaped mouth and skin darkened by a sojourn in the sun which would have killed a weaker vampire, a ladies' man, an Oscar Wildean fantasy, the glass of fashion, the most bold and disregarding dusty vagabond on occasion, loner, wanderer, heart-breaker and wise guy, dubbed the "Brat Prince" by my old Master - yes, imagine it, my Marius, yes, my Marius, who did indeed survive the torches of the Roman Coven-dubbed by Marius the 'Brat Prince,' though in whose Court and by whose Divine Right and whose Royal Blood I should like to know. Lestat, stuffed with the blood of the most ancient of our kind, indeed the very blood of the Eve of our species, some five to seven thousand years the survivor of her Eden, a perfect horror who, emerging from the deceptive poetical title of Queen Akasha of Those Who Must Be Kept, almost destroyed the world. Lestat, not a bad friend to have, and one for whom I would lay down my immortal life, one for whose love and companionship I have ofttimes begged, one whom I find maddening and fascinating and intolerably annoying, one without whom I cannot exist.

[...]

But Lestat was calling. Lestat was, or so he claimed, afraid. I had to go. The last time he'd been in trouble, I hadn't been free to rush to his rescue. There is a story to that, but nothing as important as this one which I tell now. Now I knew that my hard-won peace of mind might be shattered by the mere contact with him, but he wanted me to come, so I went.

[...]

Of course I knew the very moment that he left this world. I felt it. I was in New York already, very near to him and aware that you were there as well. Neither of us meant to let him out of our sight if at all possible. Then came the moment when he vanished in the blizzard, when he was sucked out of the earthly atmosphere as if he'd never been there. Being his fledgling you couldn't hear the perfect silence that descended when he vanished. You couldn't know how completely he'd been withdrawn from all things minuscule yet material which had once echoed with the beating of his heart. I knew.

[...]

I didn't fear for Lestat, not really. I had no hopes for his adventure, except that he would appear sooner or later and tell us some fantastical yarn. It would be regular Lestat talk, for nobody aggrandizes as he does his preposterous adventures. This is not to say that he hasn't switched bodies with a human. I know that he has. This is not to say that he didn't wake our fearsome goddess Mother, Akasha; I know that he did. This is not to say that he didn't smash my old superstitious Coven to bits and pieces in the garish years before the French Revolution. I've already told you so. But it's the way he describes things that happen to him that maddens me, the way that he connects one incident to another as though all these random and grisly occurrences were in fact links in some significant chain. They are not. They are capers. And he knows it. But he must make a gutter theatrical out of stubbing his toe. The James Bond of the Vampires, the Sam Spade of his own pages! A rock singer wailing on a mortal stage for all of two hours and, on the strength of that, retiring with a slew of recordings that feed him filthy lucre still from human agencies to this very night. He has a knack for making tragedy of tribulation, and forgiving himself for anything and everything in every confessional paragraph he pens. I can't fault him, really. I cannot help but hate it that he lies now in a coma on the floor of his chapel here, staring into a self-contained silence, despite the fledglings that circle him for precisely the same reason as I did, to see for themselves if the blood of Christ has transformed him somehow and he does not represent some magnificent manifestation of the miracle of the Transubstantiation. But I'll come to that soon enough. I've ranted myself into a little corner. I know why I resent him so, and find it so soothing to hammer at his reputation, to beat upon his immensity with both my fists. He has taught me too much. He has brought me to this very moment, here, where I stand dictating to you my past with a coherence and calm that would have been impossible before I came to his assistance with his precious Memnoch the Devil and his vulnerable little Dora. Two hundred years ago he stripped me of illusions, lies, excuses, and thrust me on the Paris pavements naked to find my way back to a glory in the starlight that I had once known and too painfully lost. But as we waited finally in the handsome high-rise apartment above St. Patrick's Cathedral, I had no idea how much more he could strip from me, and I hate him only because I cannot imagine my soul without him now, and, owing him all that I am and know, I can do nothing to make him wake from his frigid sleep. But let me take things one at a time. What good is it to go back down now to the chapel here and lay my hands on him again and beg him to listen to me, when he lies as though all sense has truly left him and will never return. I can't accept this. I won't. I've lost all patience; I've lost the numbness that was my consolation. I find this moment intolerable."

THIS CHAPTER ISN'T OVER YET AND IT'S ALREADY PEAK INSANITY OMG

[vorbarrsultana]

Lestat & books (TVL edition)

Featuring all works of literature mentioned in the text of The Vampire Lestat.

Mark Twain, mentioned without any specific works of his;

William Shakespeare, with "Macbet" being a particular favorite. "Tommorow, and tommorow, and tommorow" is also Lestat's favorite monologue to perform;

Henry Rider Haggard, a British novelist who wrote "King Solomon's Mines' and "Cleopatra";

Dashiell Hammet, "The Maltese Falcon" about the adventures of Sam Spades;

Poets of the Italian Renaissance: Francis Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio and Dante Alighieri are the most famous;

Charles Dickens ("A Tale of Two Cities", I imagine, or "Great Expectations". Post-trial Lestat might also like "A Christmas Carol")

Ernest Hemingway post-1930, possibly "For Whom the Bell Tolls", which seems to be his novel most in line with Lestat's taste in literature;

Denis Diderot, the Enlightenment philosopher and writer, co-creator & chief editor of The Encyclopédie, also wrote La Religieuse, a novel that featured very outspoken critique of the Catholic Church;

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who famously wrote "The Social Contract, or Principles of Political Right" & "Discorse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men", and was the main inspiration of the Jacobins during the French Revolution;

Voltaire, both as philosopher ("Letters concerning the English Nation", "Idées républicaines", etc.) and playwright ("Oedipus", "Iréne", "Socrate", etc.);

Pierre Corneille (a playwright: "Le Cid", "Horace", "Cinna" and "Polyeucte");

Jean-Baptiste Racine (another Classicist French playwright, author of "Alexandre le Grand", "Andromaque" & "Iphigénie");

Molière, yet another French playwright ("Don Juan, or, The Stone Banquet", "L'Amour médecin", "Psyché");

Whatever classics Lestat has read in Latin during his & Gabrielle's stay in Venice. She specifically mentioned Plutarch, Egyptian and Greek myths;

John Polidori, "The Vampyre";

Sheridan Le Fanu, "Carmilla";

And, with great distaste, Bram Stoker's "Dracula"

[two-of-them-tournament]

TWO OF THEM TOURNAMENT ROUND 1

Begins March 15 at noon EST. There will be 8 polls per day. Matchups under the cut.

DAY ONE

Troy Barnes & Abed Nadir (Community) VS Booster Gold & Ted Kord (DC Comics) WINNER: Troy & Abed!

Ingo & Emmet (Pokemon) VS Newton Geiszler & Hermann Gottlieb (Pacific Rim) WINNER: Ingo & Emmet!

Kagamine Rin & Len (Vocaloid) VS Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) WINNER: Holmes & Watson!

Sans & Papyrus (Undertale) VS Sun Wukong & Six-eared Macaque (LEGO Monkie Kid) WINNER: Sans & Papyrus!

Breekon & Hope (Magnus Archives) VS Ace Trappola & Deuce Spade (Twisted Wonderland) WINNER: Breekon & Hope!

Dipper & Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls) VS Achilles & Patroclus (Greek mythology) WINNER: Dipper & Mabel!

Mario & Luigi (Super Mario Bros) VS Ash Ketchum & Pikachu (Pokemon) WINNER: Mario & Luigi!

Jessie & James (Pokemon) VS Timon & Pumbaa (The Lion King) WINNER: Jessie & James!

DAY TWO

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern (Hamlet) VS Benson Mekler & Dave (Kipo) WINNER: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern!

Pippin Took & Merry Brandybuck (Lord of the Rings) VS Benton Fraser & Ray Kowalski (Due South) WINNER: Merry & Pippin!

Frodo Baggins & Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings) VS Sailor Uranus & Sailor Neptune (Sailor Moon) WINNER: Frodo & Sam!

Aziraphale & Crowley (Good Omens) VS Finn & Jake (Adventure Time) WINNER: Finn & Jake!

Statler & Waldorf (The Muppet Show) VS Strong Bad & The Cheat (Homestar Runner) WINNER: Statler & Waldorf!

Bert & Ernie (Sesame Street) VS Vex'ahlia & Vax'ildan (Critical Role) WINNER: Bert & Ernie!

Sonic & Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS Jadzia Dax (Star Trek) WINNER: Sonic & Tails!

Phineas & Ferb VS Carl Carlson & Lenny Leonard (The Simpsons) WINNER: Phineas & Ferb!

DAY THREE

Sam & Max VS Will Graham & Hannibal Lecter (NBC Hannibal) WINNER: Sam & Max!

Spongebob & Patrick (Spongebob Squarepants) VS Eddie Brock & Venom (Marvel Comics) WINNER: Spongebob & Patrick!

Wallace & Gromit VS The 10th Doctor & Donna Noble (Doctor Who) WINNER: Wallace & Gromit!

Geordi LaForge & Data (Star Trek) VS Frog & Toad WINNER: Frog & Toad!

Spock & Jim Kirk (Star Trek) VS Wug Test (Linguistics) WINNER: Spock & Kirk!

Bill S. Preston & Theodore Logan (Bill and Ted) VS Fireboy & Watergirl WINNER: Bill & Ted!

Nadja of Antipaxos & Laszlo Cravensworth (What We Do in the Shadows) VS Heinz Doofenshmirtz & Perry the Platypus (Phineas and Ferb) WINNER: Doofenshmirtz & Perry!

Nastya Rasputina & The Aurora (The Mechanisms) VS Harry DuBois & Kim Kitsuragi (Disco Elysium) WINNER: Harry & Kim!

DAY FOUR

Pinky & The Brain (Animaniacs) VS Scooby & Shaggy (Scooby-Doo) WINNER: Scooby & Shaggy!

Nico Di Angelo & Will Solace (Percy Jackson) VS Timmy & Tommy (Animal Crossing) WINNER: Timmy & Tommy!

Calvin & Hobbes VS Bunsen & Beaker (The Muppet Show) WINNER: Calvin & Hobbes!

Kris & Susie (Deltarune) VS Mercutio & Benvolio (Romeo and Juliet) WINNER: Kris & Susie!

Wirt & Greg (Over the Garden Wall) VS R2-D2 & C-3PO (Star Wars) WINNER: R2-D2 & C-3PO!

Mac McDonald & Charlie Kelly (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) VS Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde WINNER: Mac & Charlie!

Phoenix Wright & Maya Fey (Ace Attorney) VS John Doe & Arthur Lester (Malevolent) WINNER: Phoenix & Maya!

Legolas Greenleaf & Gimli (Lord of the Rings) VS Jedediah Smith & Gaius Octavius (Night at the Museum) WINNER: Legolas & Gimli!

RECAP

[most-stylish-competition]

Most Stylish Competition official bracket!

list under bracket since the image quality died

List:

Group1/2:

Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic series) VS. Sans (Undertale)

Mel Medarda (Arcane) VS. Sailor Pluto (Sailor Moon)

Kairi (Kingdom Hearts) VS. ENA (ENA)

Shinji Hirako (Bleach) VS. Kim Dokja (Omniscient Reader)

Gyorik "York" Rogdul (Drawtectives) VS. Eugene Finch (Drawtectives)

Elliot Goss (Search Party) VS. The Weird Guy (The Hollow)

Draculaura (Monster High) VS. Frankie Stein (Monster High)

Stede Bonnet (Our Flag Means Death) VS. Manfred Von Karma (Ace Attorney)

Group1:

Team Rocket (Pokémon) VS. winner of 1/2.1

Papyrus (Undertale) VS. Waluigi (Super Mario Bros)

Mettaton (Undertale) VS. Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid)

Cecil (Welcome to Nightvale) VS. Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way (My Immortal)

Winnie the Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) VS. Ryan Evans (High School Musical)

The Onceler (The Lorax) VS. Harry Dubois (Disco Elysium)

Fred Jones (Scooby-Doo) VS. Hunter (The Owl House)

Teruki "Teru" Hanazawa (Mob Psycho 100) VS. Shigeo Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100)

Group2:

Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler) VS. winner of 1/2.2

Yor Forger (Spy x Family) VS. Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)

Miss Piggy (Muppets) VS. Rarity (My Little Pony)

Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog) VS. Yzma (Emperor's New Groove)

Marz (I Was A Teenage Exocolonist) VS. Scaramouche (Genshin Impact)

Lelouch (Code Geass) VS. Consul Valerius (Arcana)

Sensei Garmadon (Ninjago) VS. Taako (The Adventure Zone)

Mitsuba Sousuke (Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun) VS. Rias Gremory (High School DxD)

Group3:

Mizuki Akiyama (Project Sekai) VS. winner of 1/2.3

Alex Fierro (Magnus Chase) VS. Luz Noceda (The Owl House)

Pearl Houzuki (Splatoon) VS. Gumi (Vocaloid)

Dr. Starline (Sonic series) VS. Jinafire Long (Monster High)

Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV) VS. Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank)

Frank N Furter (Rocky Horror Show) VS. Dean Pelton (Community)

Eddie Munson (Stranger Things) VS. Eleven Hopper (Stranger Things)

Gonzo (Muppets) VS. Gyro Zeppeli (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Group4:

Carmen Sandiego (Carmen Sandiego) VS. winner of 1/2.4

Red Hood (DC Comics) VS. Nightwing (DC Comics)

Professor Venomous (OKKO Let's Be Heroes) VS. Noisemaster (Cucumber Quest)

Inspector Cabanela (Ghost Trick) VS. Shelby Presipence (Plainview)

Miles Edgeworth (Ace Attorney) VS. Akutagawa Ryuunosuke (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Coco Adel (RWBY) VS. Espresso Cookie (Cookie Run Kingdom)

Susie Greene (Curb Your Enthusiasm) VS. Boyd Crowder (Justified)

Al Calavicci (Quantum Leap) VS. The Obituary Writer (Death By Dying)

Group5:

Lewis Pepper (Mystery Skulls) VS. winner of 1/2.5

Kuranosuke Koibuchi (Princess Jellyfish) VS. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu (Nana)

Eda Clawthorne (The Owl House) VS. Lilith Clawthorne (The Owl House)

Darius Deamonne (The Owl House) VS. Sanji (One Piece)

Link (Zelda: Breath of the Wild) VS. Spock (Star Trek)

Apollo (Hades) VS. Zagreus (Hades)

Rhonda Wellington Lloyd (Hey Arnold) VS. Malfina (Conneticut Clark)

Kanaya Maryam (Homestuck) VS. Daphne Blake (Scooby-Doo)

Group6:

Steven Stone (Pokémon) VS. winner of 1/2.6

Yuki Rurikawa (Act! Addict! Actors!) VS. Nikki (Love Nikki Dress Up Queen)

Bruno Bucciarati (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) VS. Padme Amidala (Star Wars)

Zhongli (Genshin Impact) VS. Franziska Von Karma (Ace Attorney)

Klavier Gavin (Ace Attorney) VS. Saul Goodman (Better Call Saul)

Grillby (Undertale) VS. Spades Slick (Homestuck)

Prosciutto (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) VS. Kira Yoshikage (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Mr. Compress (My Hero Academia) VS. Swatch (Deltarune)

Group7:

Loki (Marvel) VS. winner of 1/2.7

Castiel (Supernatural) VS. Aziraphale (Good Omens)

Hypnos (Hades) VS. Alucard (Castlevania)

Howl (Howl's Moving Castle) VS. Blitzo (Helluva Boss)

Blackbeard (Our Flag Means Death) VS. Anthony J. Crowley (Good Omens)

Luce (Drawfee) VS. Mac McDonald (Always Sunny)

Villager (Animal Crossing) VS. Blathers (Animal Crossing)

Jurgen (Sam & Max) VS. Rosemaster (Cucumber Quest)

Group8:

Joker (Persona 5) VS. winner of 1/2.8

Chuuya Nakahara (Bungou Stray Dogs) VS. Dazai Osamu (Bungou Stray Dogs)

The Doctor (Doctor Who series) VS. Sissel (Ghost Trick)

Professor Hershel Layton (Professor Layton) VS. King Dice (Cuphead)

Jolyne Cujoh (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) VS. Bayonetta (Bayonetta)

Samus (Metroid) VS. Velma (Scooby-Doo)

Harper Finkle (Wizards of Waverly Place) VS. Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Fran Fine (The Nanny) VS. Klaus Hargreeves (Umbrella Academy)

Good luck to everyone who's voting and have fun!

[meanstreetspodcasts]

Episode 567 - Mouse House of Mystery (The Whistler, Sam Spade, & Philip Marlowe)

Old time radio fans will recognize some of their favorite performers' voices popping up in classic Disney films, and today we'll hear three of those stars in radio mysteries. Before she was Cruella de Vil in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Betty Lou Gerson was a faded movie star who plans to marry into money in "The Girl Next Door" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on August 20, 1947). And years before he menaced Peter Pan as Captain Hook, Hans Conried played Sam Spade's client - a butler whose employers have a house full of secrets - in "The Bouncing Betty Caper" (an AFRS rebroadcast from December 12, 1948). Finally, you can still hear Paul Frees as the "Ghost Host" of the Haunted Mansion, and we'll also enjoy his performance as an eccentric poet in "The Cloak of Kamehameha" from The Adventures of Philip Marlowe (originally aired on CBS on April 23, 1949).

Check out this episode!

[asirensrage]

Mise en Place - A "choose your own adventure" style fic - Part 4

Fandom: Punisher AU Rating: Mature Pairing: Billy Russo x OC Warnings: Dark!Fic, threats, murder, obsession, swearing, violence, blood, and likely more to be added... Summary: Nadine thought her biggest problem was helping to keep the restaurant she worked at afloat as the neighbourhood starts being bought out from under them. A chance meeting in an elevator with an old fling proves differently…

Notes: There's a lot of...blood in this chapter. Heed the warnings. The last vote had Billy winning by a landslide! Let's see what that leads too.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

previously: Nadine incapacitated the intruder...what now?

She looks around quickly, but the lights are still off and in the moment of facing the guy, she wasn’t really looking where she kicked her bag. It’s here. Somewhere. 

The man groans, drawing her attention back. 

She should call an ambulance. She should call the police but searching for her phone is going to take time and–is he the only one? Don’t animals hunt in packs?  He was the only one in her apartment but that’s no guarantee that he came alone. Things like this usually happen in pairs or threes. At least, she assumes they do from the movies she’s seen. Fuck. 

She starts pacing, shoving back the hair out of her face. Her options are limited and reality does not include a fictional detective. Does she call the cops? Is she going to be arrested? What if they think she lured him in to kill him or this is some kind of domestic dispute? How would she prove she doesn’t know him? Though, she’d be a terrible killer if that was the plan. Would she be arrested? What would happen to her work? The restaurant is still standing by sheer will and her refusal to give in to whoever is buying the places around them. This could be held against her and her work. 

Fuck. 

Her face scrunches up in realization. She needs help and her best option is the man she ran from earlier. Billy is involved with…something, but they parted on good terms and he’s made it clear that she’s welcome back into his bed and life when she wants. At the very least, whatever he’s involved in might give him an advantage. It might give her one. He might have a better idea of what she should do next. Still, it’s not enough. Why was he even here? 

Nadine crouches down. “Hey,” she nudges the man. “Hey! I’ll call you an ambulance, just tell me why you’re here. Who sent you?” 

He sneers at her. “Fffffuck you, bitchhh.” His words slur together as his eyes roll to the back of his head. The hand that was pressing the wound on his leg drops. 

“Hey! Hey!” She reaches out and shakes him but there’s no response. Inwardly cursing, she stands. There’s no point arguing with a dead man. Especially one who can’t respond. “Fuck!” She wipes her face with the back of her hand. She’s still holding the knife. She drops it. She stares down at the knife and the way blood pools around it. “Where’s Sam Spade when you need him?” she laughs wildly. Maybe they’ll think she snapped. Like a postal worker only the chef version. 

The man doesn’t move but that doesn’t stop her from keeping an eye on him as she creeps to her door. The reminder of the threat of another killer sits in the back of her mind. She’s already picked up the knife again, aware that it probably wasn’t a good idea but needing to be armed anyway. It would be worth it if she needed it. 

She unlocks the door and pauses, listening, but the hall is silent in response and the only thing she can hear is the way her heart pounds in her ears. There are no shadows in the crack between it and the floor. She opens the door slowly. The hallway is eerily empty. The chaos of her apartment hasn’t stretched this far. 

As soon as she’s sure that no one’s there, she books it down the hall. Billy’s door feels like a beacon of hope. She nearly slams into it and starts knocking. Repeatedly. Her panic and fear finally start to make itself known and she can’t stop looking down the halls, expecting the man’s partner to appear and try to kill her in return. 

“Hold on!” she hears Billy in his apartment. “I’m coming!” 

She can’t stop knocking. 

The door swings open. “What?” His anger melts into confusion at the sight of her. She must look insane. “Nadine? What the fuck happened? Are you okay?” 

She shoves her way into his apartment and he lets her. “No! There’s a man in my apartment! OR there was. I think he’s dead now. There was a lot of blood. I mean, I’d dealt with animals before but not–” her throat tightens. “Not like that.” 

He straightens, ducking his head out his door as he checks down the hall before he closes it and slides the lock shut. He turns towards her, coming forward slowly with his hands in plain sight. “What man?” 

“I don’t know! He was just there!”

“Okay, it’s okay sweetheart. Come on, sit down.” He ushers her to a chair. She sits automatically.

“I can’t–Billy, he attacked me! I don’t–I didn’t call the cops. I just…I don’t even know where my phone is. I needed help.”

“And you came to me,” he sounds satisfied. “I’ll take care of it, okay? You need…let’s get you into a shower. Wash off the blood. I’ll go to your apartment and get some of your things. You can’t stay there, you shouldn’t go back.”

There is a steadiness to Billy and the way he’s confident about taking care of everything. The fear eases in this place. It’s bright and familiar and while nothing feels safe really, she feels like she can breathe. 

“Shouldn’t…shouldn’t we call the cops? Tell them?”

Billy nods. “Come on. Once you shower, you can rest, okay?” 

“Okay.” She lets him lead her to his bathroom. The adrenaline is starting to wear off and she’s almost too tired to shower but the moment she looks in the mirror, she realizes how much blood is on her. A glance down proves she’s left footprints. Maybe they won’t need to call the cops. Someone else might beat them to it. 

She’s used his shower before. It’s the same layout as her own bathroom but somehow it feels different. Maybe it’s the way the water is tinged with red, or how everything smells like him. She hears Billy step into the room, leaving clothes behind and throwing her previous ones into a bag. He doesn’t press for anything else. 

She’s not sure how long she stands there under the water but she still doesn’t feel entirely clean when she gets out. Exhaustion has hit and it’s worn her down. She dries off, wraps her hair up in a towel, quickly lathers on cream and gets dressed in the clothes that he left for her. Thankfully, it’s some of her own. 

She opens the door slowly, fear still lingering enough to make her cautious now with every action, every step. When she turns the corner, she catches sight of her lockscreen as Billy places her phone in a drawer and closes it. He looks up, catching sight of her. Before she can ask what he’s doing, there’s a knock at the door. 

mise en place tag: @muchadoaboutcj @koiwrites @chrissymunson  @nageill

oc taglist: @raith-way @arrthurpendragon @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @residentdormouse @endless-oc-creations @stanshollaand @wordspin-shares @chrissymunson

billy russo tag: @wheresthesunshinesblog @muchadoaboutcj

[citizenscreen]

Lurene Tuttle (as secretary Effie Perrine) and Howard Duff (as Sam Spade) for CBD Radio’s “The Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective” in 1948.

[twistedtummies2]

Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes - Number 18

Welcome to A Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes! During this month-long event, I’ll be counting my Top 31 Favorite Fictional Detectives, from movies, television, literature, video games, and more!

SLEUTH-OF-THE-DAY’S QUOTE: “You don’t have to trust me, as long as you can persuade me to trust you.”

Number 18 is…Sam Spade.

We’ve talked about a few noir-style detectives already, and there will be at least a couple more still to come. In noir fiction, the detective’s role is often slightly different than in more conventional, straightforward murder mysteries. In these stories, while there may well be a mystery to be solved, the real focus is less on figuring out the culprit, and more the direct stoppage of crime. Noir fiction focuses more on corruption, treachery, and the seedy underbelly of society, with villains at the top of the heap causing trouble, and a hero who is much further down the social ladder having to struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds to see justice done. Arguably the quintessential noir style detective – the name I first think of when I think of the genre – is this character: Sam Spade.

Spade started out as the main protagonist of one of the greatest crime novels ever written, “The Maltese Falcon.” This is the first detective based on a piece of literature (unless you count Ranpo from Bungo Stray Dogs) where I have to admit I haven’t actually read the source material. HOWEVER, I have seen the famous 1941 film adaptation of the story, which starred Humphrey Bogart as the character. The film, like the book it’s based on, is considered one of the greatest of its genre and its time. The story begins when Spade and his fellow private eye, Miles Archer, are contacted by a young woman who wishes to find her missing sister. When Archer goes missing, presumed murdered, Spade goes on a quest to find out who killed his associate. In typical fashion for this kind of story, Spade follows the tangled knots, and discovers there’s much more going on than meets the eye. There were other adaptations before the 1941 “Maltese Falcon,” but it was that picture that put the character of Sam Spade on the map, and created perhaps the most iconic piece of film noir of all time. Bogart would forever be associated with playing characters like Sam Spade: hard-boiled, trenchcoat-clad gumshoes who cynically stroll through life, trying to bring some good in dark, dingy places, while dealing with troubles of the heart and the stressful cares of life. It is Bogart’s Sam Spade many people think of and typically parody when they think of the classic noir detective, above all others. Spade is a good detective, as the mystery of what happened to Archer is ultimately revealed through his reasoning, but the focus is really on him unraveling the twisted web of deceptions and crimes surrounding this one sorry happenstance. He carries himself in a way that has a sense of world-weary cynicism, yet is also charming, witty, and, despite his somewhat shabby demeanor, surprisingly clever. He is both romantic and yet down-to-Earth, and just about every fedora-topped detective that came after followed his example.

While “Maltese Falcon” is Spade’s most famous appearance, it was not the end of the character. In the world of literature, his creator, Dashiell Hammett, would write four more adventures for Spade in the form of short stories. There would also be multiple radio depictions of Sam Spade, including adaptations of the Falcon (two of which would have Bogart reprise the role), and a series for NBC called “The Adventures of Sam Spade.” This program starred Howard Duff (and later Steve Dunne) as the detective, and was really more of a spoof of the character. Spoof or not, however, Duff would become almost as renowned as Bogart in the role, reprising the character several times after the series ended for other radio appearances. Most recently, earlier this same year, AMC+ began a streaming TV series called “Monsieur Spade,” which stars Clive Owen in the role of the sleuth, who has “retired” to France.

There have also been parody characters directly inspired by Spade; two of my favorites were both coincidentally named “Sam Diamond,” combining Spade’s name (perhaps unintentionally) with that of another famous radio sleuth, Richard Diamond (whom you may recall from the Honorable Mentions). One of these Diamonds appeared in the comedy film “Murder By Death,” played by Columbo himself, Peter Falk. The other was a guest star in an episode of “The Addams Family,” played by Tommy Farrell.

Be he named Spade or Diamond, and be he portrayed as funny or serious, the legacy of good ol’ Sam has clearly flown farther than any falcon could ever imagine.

Tomorrow, the countdown continues with Number 17!

CLUE: “I don’t believe a detective exists who likes to see his trenchcoat ruined…”

[angelamontoo]

AU where Cairo and Spade become dads

I like to think Joel has a great passion for language and has at least a passing understanding of many due to his former(?) glob trotting adventures. He tries to encourage the same interest in his daughter and thinks it would be good for her to grow up with fluency in at least two

Sam, on the other hand, is rather pleased with himself if he thinks to say "gracias" in an Italian restaurant

[tomcherryoldtimeradioshow]

Tom Cherry's Old Time Radio Show presents The Adventures of Sam Spade on June 24, 2023 at the Farmland Community Center at 3:00 pm! A lucky audience member will get a chance to play It Pays to Be Ignorant and Katy Wolfe will sing!

Featuring the talents of Sean Orlosky, Bob Green, Katy Wolfe, Jeff Shull, Jeff Rapkin, Larry Beck and Debby Girtman with soundman Cliff Lowe and special guest star, Todd Terrell!

That’s June 24 at 3:00 pm at the Farmland Community Center (100 N. Main St, Farmland, Indiana)! Tickets are just a dollar! For more information, please call 765-468-7631.

Radio fun for everyone!

Photograph by Cindy Lowe

[tippysattic]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows the 20th Century Walter Cronkite Cassettes.

[pagebypagereviews]

New YA Book Releases for Teens: A 2023 Guide The world of Young Adult (YA) literature is constantly evolving, offering fresh narratives that resonate with teens across the globe. As we navigate through 2023, a plethora of new YA book releases are set to captivate the hearts and minds of young readers. From fantasy epics and sci-fi adventures to poignant contemporary tales, this year promises a diverse selection of stories that will entertain, challenge, and inspire. This article delves into some of the most anticipated YA books of 2023, highlighting their themes, plots, and the unique elements that make them stand out. Exploring the Latest in YA Fiction The landscape of YA fiction in 2023 is rich and varied, with authors exploring complex themes such as identity, resilience, and the quest for belonging. These narratives not only offer escapism but also provide young readers with the tools to navigate their own lives. Below, we explore a selection of titles that are generating buzz and excitement among the YA community. Fantasy and Sci-Fi Adventures "The Starless Crown" by Jane Yolen - An epic fantasy tale of a young girl who, after receiving a deadly prophecy, embarks on a journey that could either save or doom her world. "Galaxy's Edge" by Amie Kaufman - A thrilling sci-fi adventure set in space, where a group of teens must navigate the complexities of the universe, friendship, and love to save their home. Contemporary Tales with a Twist "You've Reached Sam" by Dustin Thao - A heart-wrenching story about love, loss, and the possibility of saying goodbye, this novel explores the impact of grief on a teenager's life. "The Weight of Our Sky" by Hanna Alkaf - Set against the backdrop of historical events, this novel delves into the struggles of a teen battling OCD amidst societal chaos. Diverse Voices and Stories "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley - A groundbreaking thriller that combines Ojibwe culture, a compelling mystery, and a profound exploration of identity and belonging. "Ace of Spades" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé - This gripping novel tackles issues of racism and privilege within a prestigious academy, through the eyes of two black students. Why YA Books Matter Young Adult literature plays a crucial role in addressing the concerns, dreams, and challenges faced by teens today. These books offer more than just entertainment; they provide a mirror for young readers to see themselves and understand others. YA novels often tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity and honesty, allowing teens to engage with complex issues in a safe and relatable context. Moreover, the diversity of characters and settings in YA literature has significantly increased, offering a more inclusive and representative selection of stories for readers of all backgrounds. The Impact of Representation Representation in YA books is vital for fostering empathy, understanding, and self-acceptance among teens. Reading about characters who share similar experiences, backgrounds, or identities can be incredibly affirming for young readers. It helps them feel seen and understood, and can also boost their self-esteem and sense of belonging. Additionally, diverse representation in YA literature exposes readers to different cultures, perspectives, and life experiences, promoting open-mindedness and inclusivity. Looking Ahead: The Future of YA Literature The future of YA literature looks bright, with authors and publishers increasingly pushing the boundaries of genre, theme, and representation. As we move forward, we can expect to see more innovative storytelling techniques, a broader range of voices, and even greater emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. The evolution of YA literature reflects the changing dynamics of society and the growing complexity of the world in which teens are growing up. By continuing to offer stories that are both reflective and visionary, YA books will remain a vital source of comfort, inspiration, and learning for young readers.

Conclusion The new YA book releases of 2023 offer a treasure trove of stories that are as diverse as they are engaging. From fantastical worlds and sci-fi adventures to contemporary tales rooted in real-world issues, these books promise to captivate and inspire teens. Beyond their entertainment value, YA novels play a critical role in helping young readers navigate the complexities of adolescence, offering insights into identity, resilience, and empathy. As the landscape of YA literature continues to evolve, it remains an essential pillar in the development of young minds, encouraging them to dream, question, and understand the world around them. With so much to look forward to, 2023 is poised to be a remarkable year for YA literature.

[21bwc21]

Adventures Of Sam Spade The Soap Opera Caper otr Old Time Radio

[mondoradiowmse]

05/29/24 Mondo Radio Playlist

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Calling All Detectives", featuring old time radio private eyes and more. If you enjoy it, remember to also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

Calling All Detectives - Two Perfect Murders - Calling All Detectives

Richard Diamond, Private Detective - The Ralph Chase Case - Richard Diamond, Private Detective

Nick Carter, Master Detective - Murder By Magic, Part 1 - Nick Carter, Master Detective

The Philistines Jr. - Kids In America/I'll Stop The World And Melt With You - Happy Birthday Captain Columbus! (Single)

Five Minute Mysteries - Best Laid Plans - Five Minute Mysteries

The Adventures Of Sam Spade - The Champion Caper - The Adventures Of Sam Spade

Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries - The Curious Gangland Killing - Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries

Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries - The Bathtub Murder - Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar - The McCormack Matter, Part 1 - Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe - The Red Wind - The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe

Group-Fifty Orchestra - Private Eye - Private Eye (Single)

The Crawford Light Orchestra - March Of The Detectives - March Of The Detectives (Single)